Pick the best dry shampoo for your hair

Thursday, 24 August 2017

The miracle that is dry shampoo, has been our saviour on more occasions than we’d care to admit since we first tried it back in 2012. Fast forward a few years and we’ve discovered a few other nifty uses for it too.

Even if you already have this multi-purpose miracle product in your hair care arsenal, you may not be getting the most out of it if you’re buying the wrong dry shampoo for you or using it the wrong way.

Top tips for best results

* When shopping for a dry shampoo, don’t randomly buy the only one you’ve ever heard of or the one your BFF swears by. Dry shampoos are made for specific hair colours, textures and with a specific end result in mind – there is volume boosting versions for fine hair, coloured versions for dark hair shades and loose hair powders for those who like to shop organic.
* Consider whether you prefer powder or a spray. An aerosol is quick and convenient, but powders are great if you are concerned about fumigating your head. If you have fine hair, you also might find more success with a powder.
* Shampoo is shampoo, right? Wrong, read-up or watch a YouTube tutorial before using. Read our guide here.
* Like everything in life, use it in moderation. Being over-reliant on dry shampoo can actually dry out your scalp in the winter and cause dandruff.

Dry shampoo’s for all

For volume

If you want your dry shampoo to do more than just absorb excess oil, try TRESemmé Instant Refresh Dry Shampoo, R88,95. It easily adds volume and allows you to create lived-in texture that makes the fact you erm, “fake shower”, that much more believable.

For the curly-haired

If you have naturally curly hair, choose a dry shampoo that is made for those with natural curls. A traditional, spray dry-shampoo is the way to go with big hair because you need even distribution. Marc Anthony’s Refreshing Coconut Clear Dry Shampoo, R99, is the way to go because it easily absorbs oil without any product build-up. It makes hair springier, and all-around less lifeless with way less work, with the bonus of coconut fragranced hair.

For the oily-haired

If your hair tends to stay on the oily side, choose a dry shampoo that is more drying than the others or is made to combat excess oil secretion in the scalp. Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray, R805, is technically not a shampoo but a texturizing spray. It’s a tad pricey but the product makes your hair feel and smell amazing.

For the dark-haired

If you have dark brown, black or colour treated hair, choose a dry shampoo that will enhance your hair colour, rather than dull it down or worse, strip it out. Try Batiste Dry Shampoo Dark Hair, R89,95.

For those on-the-go

Large, aerosol sprays are a definite no-go for those that travel light. Your best alternative? Colab Dry Shampoo London, R49,95, which comes in a nifty 50ml bag-friendly size. For gym, beach or poolside try the larger-sized Colab Active Dry Shampoo, R99,95, it contains Moringa Seed extract to help protect hair against sun damage and city pollution.

For fine hair

Your hair deserves Label.m Dry Shampoo, R245. It works as a brilliant matte texturiser for a soft-touch, velvet finish to the hair. It’s very lightweight and doesn’t leave your hair feeling super gritty.

For the budget-conscious

It’s been around for 40 years, and normally no one looks any further than Batiste Dry Shampoo, R78,95, with good reason. It works wonders and comes in all kinds of colours and scents.

For those who hate aerosols

Made with corn oil and talc, Lush NO DROUGHT Dry Shampoo, R95, shakes on – so no toxic fall-out. The powder soaks up on every hair texture and the citrus smell is lovely.

I have never used dry shampoo. I was always afraid it would make my hair sticky and dull. I am going to try Lush no drought dry shampoo and we’ll see how it works. Hopefully it will save me some precious minutes in the morning.

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